Eva Deschamps / September 4, 2024
The network, owned by American billionaire Elon Musk, began to be blocked in the country in the early hours of Saturday, hours after Judge Alexandre de Moraes ordered its suspension within 24 hours.
The Supreme Federal Court judge and leading figure in Brazil's fight against disinformation is in a tug-of-war with the American billionaire over the limits of freedom of expression. Five Supreme Court judges, including Mr. Moraes, confirmed Friday's measure in a virtual session. “Elon Musk has demonstrated his total lack of respect for Brazilian sovereignty and, in particular, for the judiciary, by positioning himself as a true supranational entity, immune to the laws of each country,” said Judge Moraes.
The latter had given the platform 24 hours on Wednesday evening to appoint a legal representative in the country, failing which it would be blocked. After rejecting the ultimatum, it decided on the “immediate, complete and integral suspension” of the network in Brazil.
“Freedom of expression is the foundation of democracy and, in Brazil, an unelected pseudo-judge is destroying it because of political motivations,” thundered the American billionaire. “Freedom of expression does not protect against repeated violations of the legal system,” said Judge Flavio Dino, former Justice Minister under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, on Monday.